Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A portable device for dispensing a fragrance comprising a housing ( 1 ) containing a fragrance element ( 3 ) and at least one aperture ( 5 ) in a side of the housing ( 1 ) in the vicinity of one end ( 6 ) of the housing to release fragrance from the housing ( 1 ). A lid is attached to the housing ( 1 ) to selectively open and close the aperture ( 5 ). The one end ( 6 ) of the device is shaped to abut the lower end of a users nose such that in use the fragrance can be inhaled through the aperture ( 5 ) to the nasal passage of the user.

The present invention relates to a portable device for dispensing afragrance.

In everyday life we are subjected to offending olfactory sensations. Forexample, cooking smells, cigarette smoke and stale air when we areconfined to closed environments, such as trains, cars and houses withlimited air exchanging properties. Such strong smells are capable ofcausing a person to faint or to cause them considerable discomfort.Accordingly, occasions arise when a portable air freshening device wouldbe desirable.

It is known to use smelling-bottles. These bottles are portable andcontain smelling salts such as ammonium carbonate mixed with a scent tobe sniffed as a restorative in faintness.

Furthermore, inhalers are known which comprise a stick with a vent atthe extremity of the device and apertures around the base of the device.In use, the inhaler is inserted into the nostril of a user. The userthen holds the other nostril closed and inhales deeply. The apertures atthe base of the stick allow air flow through the inhaler which causesevaporation of a decongestant which is subsequently inhaled through thevent at the extremity of the stick.

Such devices are designed to deliver an intense amount of the inhaledproduct to the nasal passages and are therefore unsuitable fordelivering certain fragrances.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable device fordispensing a fragrance comprising:

-   -   a housing containing a fragrance element;    -   at least one aperture in a side of the housing in the vicinity        of one end of the housing to release the fragrance from the        housing;    -   and means to selectively open and close the aperture;    -   the one end being shaped to abut the lower end of a users nose        such that in use the fragrance can be inhaled through the        aperture to the nasal passage of a user.

The device of the present invention is advantageous over the prior artin that the relationship between the one end and the aperture is suchthat the aperture is close to, but not directly in contact with theusers nose. Thus, the fragrance can be provided in a lower intensitywhilst still guaranteeing local delivery to the user. This ensures thatthe fragrance does not affect people in the vicinity of the user.

Any composition which can release a pleasant smell and is suitable foruse as a fragrance can be used in the present invention. Beyond thesubjective enjoyment produced by pleasant fragrances, certain fragrancesmay produce psychological and physiological responses such as stressreduction due to activation of brain centres which are especiallyresponsive to fragrances. In addition to fragrances, humans may enjoyand benefit from inhaling volatile substances which may not have adetectable scent, but which none-the less produce a distinct biologicalor psychological effect. These substances include, but are not limitedto pheromones which may alter the sexual behavior of humans, hormoneswhich may alter the physiology of the body, mood altering substances,appetite-altering substances, organ extracts, plant extracts or othermaterials or chemicals which provide a desired biological orpsychological effect. The word “fragrance” in the context of the presentinvention encompasses all of the aforementioned substances.

The fragrance element may be any fragrance in any form which isvaporizable at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. For examplethe fragrance element may be prepared as a gel or a paste to controlspills or leaks. Furthermore, the fragrance element may be in liquidform and placed inside a reservoir. In a preferred embodiment a poroussolid such as scintered PE or cellulose board is impregnated with thefragrance.

A fragrance element is placed in the enclosure formed by the housing.The fragrance element can be introduced into the enclosure at anytimeduring the assembly of the housing. In a preferred embodiment thefragrance element may have as a component of its design a form to assistin locations and attachment of the fastening element to the housing tosecure it. For example one or more anchor pins, shafts or posts can bepresent.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment the device may have as part ofits design sections of the housing which can be opened and/or removed toallow the user to replace and/or replenish the fragrance element so thatthe device can be used again.

The number of apertures present within the side of the housing in thevicinity of one end of the device is dependent upon the size of thedevice, the diameters of the apertures and the fragrance release raterequired. Desirably the number of apertures is from 1 to 20, morepreferably 5 to 15 and most preferably 10. The average diameter of eachaperture is preferably from 1 mm to 7 mm, more preferably from 1 to 4mm. The apertures of the device can have all the same diameter but in apreferred embodiment a plurality of apertures are present with varyingdiameters. The apertures may be arranged in an orderly or randompattern.

Any means can be used to selectively open and close the apertures. Forexample a stopper or a seal. In a preferred embodiment the means toselectively open and close the apertures is lid. The lid can bepivotally attached to the housing wherein the lid is movable from aclosed position where the lid covers the aperture to seal the device toan open position where the aperture is uncovered. Desirably the lid isintegrally hinged to the housing.

In a preferred embodiment the lid in its open position rests against theside of the housing adjacent to the aperture such that in use the lidprevents the aperture from the device from coming into contact with thetop lip of the user.

In a preferred embodiment a catch is present which is positioned in theone end of the device to provide the user with a clear indication of thesuccessful opening and closing of the lid by providing an audible“click”. The “click” is provided by the interaction of the lid as itpasses over the catch.

The one end of the device is arranged to a but the lower end of thenose. In a preferred embodiment the one end has a central recess toaccommodate the septum of the user.

For a better understanding of the invention it will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device with the lid open;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device with the lid closed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the device is in the shape of a flattenedkidney bean. Such a shape enables the device to be held comfortably inthe hand.

The device is typically about 70 mm long and about 45 mm across.

The housing 1 is made of plastic. The housing forms an inner enclosure 2which contains the fragrance element 3.

The device further comprises a lid 4 which is pivotally attached to aside of the housing. The lid 4 is also made of plastic. The lid 4 is ofsuch a shape that when the lid 4 is in its closed position it covers theapertures 5 to seal the device and is flush with the housing, as shownin FIG. 2.

Furthermore, when the lid 4 is in its open position it can rest againstthe side of the housing, as shown in FIG. 1, such that in use the lid 4prevents the apertures 5 of the device coming into contact with theskin, and in particular the top lip of the user.

The section of the side of the housing which is covered by the lid 4 hasa plurality of apertures 5 in the vicinity of the end 6 of the device.The apertures 5 are arranged in a random pattern. There are 11 aperturespresent. The diameters of the apertures 5 vary from 1.5 to 4 mm.

The end 6 of the device is arranged to abut the lower end of the nose. Afirst end region 7 is adapted to abut a first nasal passage and a secondend region 8 is adapted to abut a second nasal passage with centralrecess 9, between the first and second end regions 7,8 to accommodatethe septum.

As shown in FIG. 1 there is a catch 10 positioned in the central recess9 which holds the lid 4 in place when closed and provides an audible“click” when the lid 4 passes over the catch 10.

In use the user will open the lid 4 of the device, which will besignified to the user by a “click” as the lid passes over the catch 10,and then position the end of the device Z so that it abuts the lower endof the nose.

As illustrated, the device of the present invention does not includepowered means for dispensing the fragrance. Rather, the device utilizesair flow created by the user sniffing the housing 1 to promote a flow ofair saturated with fragrance from the fragrance element 3 through theapertures 5 to the nasal passages of the user.

-   -   After use, the lid 4 will be shut, which is signified to the        user by a “click” as the lid 4 passes over the catch 10, to        ensure that the apertures 5 are covered and that the fragrance        is selected within the device. This allows the air in the        enclosure to become saturated with the fragrance.

1. A portable device for dispensing a fragrance comprising: a housingcontaining a fragrance element; at least one aperture in a side of thehousing in the vicinity of one end of the housing to release thefragrance from the housing; and means to selectively open and close theaperture which is a lid pivotally attached to the housing wherein thelid is movable from a closed position where the lid covers the apertureto seal the device to an open position where the aperture is uncovered;the one end being shaped to abut the lower end of a users nose such thatin use the fragrance can be inhaled through the aperture to the nasalpassage of the user.
 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the lid inits open position rests against the side of the housing adjacent to theaperture such that in use the lid prevents the aperture of the devicefrom coming into contact with the top lip of the user.
 3. A deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the one end has a catch to provide anaudible “click” as the lid passes over the catch.
 4. A device accordingto claim 1 wherein the one end has a central recess to accommodate theseptum of the user.